J R BERNSTEIN, professional photographer, vigorously pursuing photographic excellence in the commercial, fashion, and artistic domains.
I have been taking pictures since I was about 5 years old and sold my first photographs when I was 15.
My first camera was a tiny plastic Kodak 110 Instamatic-type, and since then, I have used nearly every type of film and digital camera on the market, small and large and everything in between.
I learned how to compose, shoot, develop film, print negatives, and the science behind photography (of which there is a lot!), from my father — a recognised commercial photographer. I learned the art and science of the human psyche from my mother, a professional psychotherapist.
In spite of this, my journey to professional photographer has not been a direct nor simple one. Along the way, there was a lengthy stop as a musician, business student, pre-med student, board-game producer, and computer-graphics designer and commercial printing expert.
My work, my family, and my personal nature has taken me far and wide and my work has been seen around the globe, but I make my home in Toronto Ontario Canada.
I am truly what most people would call an entrepreneur, and I value and admire the entrepreneurial spirit I get to see in many of my clients. Save for one summer just after high school working as a bank teller, I have never been gainfully employed…and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Being a professional photographer is not only a career, but also a way of life, and most days I wonder why I didn’t start earlier.
J R